Olfactory Function in Persons with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract Although visual and hearing impairments associated with cerebral palsy (CP) have been reported, there is a lack of studies on olfactory function in persons with CP. We evaluated olfactory function related to meal enjoyment in persons with CP with severe motor and intellectual disabilities (ID). Subjects included 14 persons with gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) level III, IV, or V and 14 age‐ and gender‐matched controls (7 women and 7 men per group). The mean ages (± standard deviation) were 54.6 ± 9.9 years and 55.6 ± 9.5 years, in persons with CP and controls, respectively. Olfactory function was assessed with the Odor Stick Identification Test for the Japanese (OSIT‐J), which includes 12 different odorants that are familiar to the Japanese population. Smell identification evaluated by the percentage of correct answers was significantly lower in the CP group (34.4 ± 24.1%) than in the control group (63.1 ± 16.9%). Smell identification was more impaired than smell detection (odor recognition without identification). No relationship was found between olfactory function and the GMFCS level. Future studies should investigate potential differences in olfactory function between children with and without CP, and between those with mild and severe CP. Olfactory function was significantly worse in adults with CP than in controls. Attention should be given to the olfactory function in persons with CP.